Exploring the Maritime Passenger Transport in Algeria: Opportunities and Challenges for Tourism Growth

Abstract The Algerian government plans substantial investments in several transportation infrastructures to reduce pollution and establish a sustainable transportation system. Among these initiatives is the maritime passenger transport, aimed at enhancing the tourism sector. This paper aims to analyze the status of maritime passenger transport in Algeria, evaluate its performance, and address future challenges, particularly in terms of tourism. The methodology used in this work is based, firstly, on an analysis of the passenger flow recorded between 1998 and 2020 at the Algerian ports. Then, secondly, it is based on the evaluation of the Algerian maritime passenger transport company between 2011 and 2020. These permit us to analyze the exact situation and to know the several constraints that influence the performance of this transportation system in Algeria. The results show that the highest flow of passengers in the Algerian ports was between 2004 and 2007. In addition, the number of passengers transported by the Algerian company decreased by an average of 74.61% between 2011 and 2014 to an average of 50.88% between 2017 and 2019. This paper concludes with some suggestions to improve the performance of maritime passenger transport in Algeria.